Creating a Five-Year Capital Plan for Your NYC Coop or Condo

The Real Costs of Deferred Maintenance (Yes, It Adds Up Fast)

You wouldn't skip your annual physical, right?
Your building needs the same kind of care. The truth is, most costly repairs we see were totally preventable. What started as a minor leak turned into a $50,000 ceiling collapse. An overdue boiler part replacement led to a mid-winter emergency shutdown. And the kicker? Every one of those situations could have been avoided with a solid five-year capital plan.

Let’s walk you through how to create one that actually works—saving your board time, money, and stress.

Tina LarssonJuly 14, 2025New York City, Elevators, Safety, PlanningComment

NYC Coop and Condo Boards: Plan Now for the 2027 Elevator Safety Retrofit Deadline

What Is a Plunger —And Why Should You Care?

A plunger acts like the emergency in your car. It prevents an elevator from moving unexpectedly while people are getting in or out.

It’s a small component with big safety implications, and it's now a required feature for every elevator in the city.

Here’s where it gets real…

Tina LarssonJune 5, 2025New York City, Elevators, Safety, PlanningComment

Essential... or Not

At 7 pm every night, New Yorkers are literally hanging out of their windows and clapping and banging pots and pans to cheer on and thank our essential workers. Since the onset of the Covid-19 ‘shelter in place’ order, #ClapBecauseWeCare has become a highlight for many of us in New York City. Which brings us to the question, what residential building workers are considered essential?

Photocredit: Deutsch Photography

COVID, Policies & Procedures, Real Estate, WorkersTina LarssonMay 18, 2020Covid, Elevators, Building Staff, FacadeComment

Trapped in Elevator (Service)

Who services the elevators in your building? This is done by a specific elevator service company, which the coop or condo has a service contract with. Our research shows that some buildings pay 100% more than others for these contracts. Don’t feel trapped by your elevator contract; find out if we can help you reduce the cost of your service contract by calling us today!

Regulations, ManagementTina LarssonJune 26, 2019Elevators, coops & condos, Cat 5, Cat 1, CondominiumComment

A New Regulation Looms Ahead

Elevator regulations are a big part of what dictates the safety and cost of elevators. In New York City, the Department of Buildings (DOB) is the regulator of elevators. As the result of increase in elevator accidents, in part due to aging elevators, the DOB has added four new regulations.

Two are already in place, while one is due in 2020 and another one in 2027.

Regulations, ManagementTina LarssonMay 16, 2019Elevators, RegulationsComment

The Ups & Downs of Elevators

When Gladys pressed the “9” button on the elevator panel, she heard a noise that could most generously be described as sounding like a train slamming into a wall. For most New Yorkers, this is a subconscious everyday fear, as each day involves multiple elevator rides.

Although there’s nothing as annoying as being stuck in traffic or a delayed subway, an elevator “out of service” sign for a 15-flight stair climb is not far behind.

Has your building installed a door lock monitor system? They are required by January 1, 2020.

Management, Real Estate, RegulationsTina LarssonApril 17, 2019Elevators, DOB, Cat 1, Cat 5, 2020 Doorlock, Building Repairs, Department of BuildingsComment